Golden Sun eXtra Your Local News Source, Mohave County, AZ

Approximately 25 percent of all fatal car accidents involve text messaging while driving. Being totally aware of this, the Arizona State Senate today rejected an attempt to ban texting while driving due to concerns about imposing too much government regulation. Texting while driving is already banned in 23 other states.

The measure failed on an 11-11 preliminary vote. It would have prohibited writing, reading or sending text messages and e-mails while driving on a state highway. It would not have prohibited talking on the phone while driving and would have allowed drivers to type a name or telephone number to make a call.

Studies have shown that text messaging while driving is more dangerous than driving drunk or talking on the phone. A growing global issue, texting while driving affects everyone. But Senator Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said it's equally as dangerous for someone to fish around for the last ice cube at the bottom of a cup of soda, but "we don't have special legislation to outlaw Big Gulps." Now that's just plain stupid.

Opponents called the bill "nanny state legislation" that tries to regulate how people live their lives. They said officers already can cite motorists for reckless driving if they're caught texting. Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, said Arizonans know it's dangerous to text while driving and should be trusted to make the right decision.

So why don't they just do away with speed limits and policemen and trust people to make the right decision?

So while some of our legislators stand on the podium of stupid, perhaps you could make the right decision and get this new app for your cell phone called Auto TextBak. It allows users to easily set an away message that will automatically reply to incoming text or PIN messages. Auto TextBak was designed to help drivers focus on the road instead of their phone. Once downloaded, Auto TextBak allows users to set an away message on their phone, much like an out-of-office email response.

The application is currently available for a onetime fee of $2.99.

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